DONORS AND PARTNERS SPOTLIGHT: Bernadette Peter’s Children’s Book STELLA IS A STAR by BLUE APPLE BOOKS

by Irene Soriano Brightman

When Downtown Dog Rescue founder Lori Weise, put out a call for used Children’s books to distribute to children attending the 1st ever Compton Pet Fair that happened two weeks ago, I remembered right away a Facebook posting from one of my animal rescue friends of Broadway/Screen star and animal Welfare veteran and Broadway Barks co-founder, Bernadette Peter’s latest book project called STELLA IS A STAR!

Bernadette Peter’s own pitbull, Stella!


I thought, it would be great to be able to give the children that were coming to the the PET FAIR this new book about a dog and more specifically about pitbulls that had a positive message about the breed and a wonderful story about developing one’s positive self-image! I knew right away I would need to contact the publisher and get them involved with the Spay/Neuter clinic!

About the book (write-up from Chronicle Books):

Stella Is a Star! — Bernadette Peters and Liz Murphy—the terrific team behind the New York Times best-selling Broadway Barks—are back with a story about Stella, a pup who would rather be a graceful pig ballerina than what she really is: a dog no one seems to like.

Bernadette Peters’ lovable Stella learns the lessons of self-acceptance, following her heart’s desires and, most important, that it’s okay just to be herself. The book includes a CD with an original song written and performed by Bernadette Peters.

Bernadette Peters has led a dazzling career on Broadway and in theaters and concert halls around the world, playing such memorable roles as the witch in Into the Woods and Mama Rose in Gypsy. She is the cofounder, with Mary Tyler Moore, of Broadway Barks, a charity that finds homes for shelter animals. Her passion for animals is the inspiration behind this book.

Liz Murphy was born in England and lives with her family in Montclair, New Jersey. She is a graduate of the Kingston Art College, where she majored in graphic design.

And so off I wrote a letter of consideration to the publisher BLUE APPLE BOOKS. I presented my case:

We (Downtown Dog Rescue) have been active in Los Angeles in providing services and events to help change people’s perception of Pitbulls and not just in “comfortable communities” but also in communities where pitbull ownership is akin to dog fighting rings and a moneymaking commercial breeding enterprise. In these communities, it is clear that positive and affirming portrayals of Pit Bulls are lacking, but more so, absent. How can we counter these negative depictions of Pit Bulls in children-friendly ways?

I believe STELLA IS A STAR could serve that great purpose…


…a few weeks later…I got the email from Tracey Daniels that it was a go!!!!!! Hooray!!!!!! I love appealing to a business that recognizes community need and participates in any way that they can.

Blue Apple Books? You’re all right in our book! Thank you for your recent donation which will have a far reach not only to the children who received these books but alongside many of us also trying to restore the reputation of the original “nanny dogs” …the pitbull. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Peters for all your wonderful work with children and your work in animal welfare….THANK YOU!

*DDR supporters, please support this Children’s book and purchase it for your kids or friend’s kids. The link to purchase the book can be found below! The illustrations are wonderful and the story is positive and uplifting. It’s a wonderful find and we highly recommend it here in DDR!

Below are the pictures from the Compton Pet Fair of young girls reading the book to

B.A.R.K. therapy dogs, Fran and Pogo and everyone involved just having a wonderful time!


Downtown Dog Rescue’s
1st Annual Pet Fair in Compton
East Rancho Dominguez Park
Saturday, June 12, 2010
10:00 am – 2:00 pm



TO ORDER THE BOOK:

40 in; audio CD,
full-color illustrations,
ages 4 and up
Hardcover
Published in March, 2010
ISBN 9781609050085
ISBN10 1609050088



Special thanks to Tracey Daniels, Blue Apple Book’s awesome publicist who was getting ready for her big vacation but STILL got us the books in time for the Spay/Neuter clinic that Saturday! HOORAY!!!!!
Thanks to
Josie Gavieres of B.A.R.K. for the awesome pictures!

THANKS TO ALL THE B.A.R.K. Handlers
that came and brought their wonderful dogs!
Last but not least, thanks to all the
wonderful children that sat, read and spent time with us!


2017-05-24T08:44:22+00:00
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